In this episode, Jon travels to the University of Texas School of Architecture at Arlington to talk with professors and students about learning, teaching and mentoring. Does what we teach, and how we teach, truly open doors for everyone in the design profession? Listen in on these multi-perspective conversations that touch on bias, opportunity, and what happens when expectations meet up with reality. Jon also asks: Are we placing different expectations on male and female students — or are we pro...
Jul 23, 2025•56 min
In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Bergman, founder of the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF), to explore House by the Sea — a dreamy new film that revisits Eileen Gray’s iconic E1027 house and the notorious murals by Le Corbusier. We look at how the film uncovers what design history often hides: the stories of women like Gray, Charlotte Perriand, Lily Reich, and Denise Scott Brown — visionaries whose work shaped modern architecture but whose names too often went uncredited. We u...
Jul 16, 2025•48 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Rottet — the only woman ever elevated to Fellow status by both the AIA and IIDA — to explore her remarkable journey from architect to interior and product designer. As Founding Principal of Rottet Studio, Lauren has led award-winning projects around the world and launched a celebrated furniture line, all while challenging the status quo. We talk mentorship, leadership, and what it takes for women to not only enter the design professions, but to lead them....
Jun 18, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this episode of Break Some Dishes , Jon and Verda talk with Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale about everything from sustainable products to gender equity in industrial design. Jane shares her journey from industrial designer to sustainability leader, why women’s voices are essential in shaping our built environment, and how bias in design can have lasting consequences. We also dig into circularity, regenerative futures, and how young designers can lead us toward a mor...
May 22, 2025•55 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Jon and Verda dive into the intersection of gender, sustainability, and regenerative futures in industrial design. We’re joined by two powerhouse designers, Baillie Mischler, Founder at PROWL, and Lauryn Menard, CEO of GOB. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities for women in industrial design, the systemic gender biases embedded in everyday products, and the urgent need for diverse voices in shaping the future of design. We also discuss what a ‘regenerative future’ means and how c...
Apr 23, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, to explore gender disparities in the architecture and interior design industries. We dive into the numbers—why do women make up 50% of architecture students but only 25% get licensure and even less than 10% are in leadership roles? Does it matter who leads? We discuss systemic barriers, the impact of workplace culture, and what it takes to create a more equitable future. Plus, Amanda shares insights on domestic inequality, ...
Mar 19, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 2
For this first episode of Season 6 Jon and Verda speak with Keshia DeFreece Lawrence, a Ramapough Lenape Munsee environmental political scientist and Indigenous expert at Harvard Forest, a 4,000-acre living laboratory on traditional Nipmuc land. We explore the concept of Sovereign Science—an approach to environmental stewardship that prioritizes protection, care, and deep relationship with the land, and discuss the rematriation of physical space, the shift from patriarchal land management to mat...
Feb 26, 2025•42 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In this wrap-up of Season 5, Jon and Verda reflect on the role we all play in shaping a better future. Jon shares his biggest takeaway from his favorite episode, and Verda calls for action, urging designers to embrace activism and leverage their unique influence to drive systemic change. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Dec 18, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Jon invites fellow Connecticutian Tabitha Sookdeo on the podcast to dig deep on climate migration. It's happening right here within our own borders and we need to understand this multifaceted issue that is impacting all of us. After this episode we hope you will think differently and find empathy for those that have lost their corners of the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Nov 20, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 9
In this episode, Jon and Verda speak with veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, who has completed two spaceflights and spent extended time aboard the International Space Station. Nicole shares her insights on how space exploration can help us improve life here on Earth. From working alongside an international team to understanding the challenges we face as a global community, Nicole will get us thinking about “spaceship Earth” and how we are all crewmates together. See Privacy Policy at https://a...
Oct 16, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Isaias Hernandez, AKA the Queer Brown Vegan joins Jon and Verda to examine tackling climate change education thru social media and engaging with fringe communities who often get left behind. Isaias is taking on all the complex issues around climate change and social equity through the eyes of a young activist and a child of immigrants. We often don’t consider the impact climate change has on minorities and marginalized communities, and Isaias is shedding light onto issues like Petromasculinity a...
Sep 18, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Learn the amazing story of a biologist turned bird aviator! Austrian biologist, Johannes Fritz speaks with Jon and Verda about the Northern Bald Ibis, which was completely extinct in the wild 50 years ago. Through careful re-introduction Fritz began to bring them back. Then, when climate change made their winter migration route unpassable, Fritz began teaching these birds a new migratory route by flying an ultralight to lead them across the Alps and into Southern Italy to winter. See Privacy Pol...
Aug 21, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Jon and Verda discover John Derkach, an architect turned techie, who just might help our industry finally impact climate change. Listen to John’s story of building a tech company with an architects eye. Baya is a workflow tool that will help designers specify green solutions throughout their interiors project, and measure their impact while doing it. Learn more about this amazing technology in episode 63! This episode was recorded in the NeoCon Podcast Studio Powered by SURROUND and Sponsored by...
Jul 31, 2024•35 min
Domingo Morales grew up in public housing in Harlem and sold candy in subways to help his mother pay rent. By 19 he had two kids and no steady income, but then Domingo stumbled upon a chance to work with Green City Force, an non-profit that teaches young people in the projects careers in horticulture, solar installation and other environmental jobs. Today Domingo is teaching communities how to farm thru city wide composting. But he’s done more than show people how to grow food, he’s showing them...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 5
Davies Office was founded in 1948 as a small, family-owned business. Since then, Davies Office has grown to become a nationally recognized leader in green remanufacturing and sustainable office solutions. Host Jon and Verda chat with Bill Davies and Doug Pilgrim about sustainability, and the possibilities that come with upcycling! Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode was produced by Rob Schulte. Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office. See Privacy Polic...
Jun 05, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Armed with a home-made suction device, David Rivers clears about 250 garbage bags worth of trash from the bayou and its tributaries each week. If you think one person can't make a difference, think again—you'll be as smitten with David as we are! Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode was produced by Rob Schulte. Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv...
May 15, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Cara Buckley and her team at the New York Times have decided to focus on the optimistic side of climate change. They’ve found people acting out on their own to create individual, yet replicable acts that have saved their own unique communities and ecosystems. Verda and Jon have been inspired by this message, and in this episode get the opportunity to talk with Cara about this work and how it can save our planet. Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode was produced...
Apr 17, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Karry King and Martin Schneider found themselves compelled to help their town of La Salle, Illinois after a toxic disaster and chemical fire at the Carus Chemical Plant. Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode was produced by Rob Schulte. Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 20, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this new episode, co-host Verda Alexander sits down with special guest Lisa Tucker, Head of the Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management at Virginia Tech. Lisa shares her journey from a background in historic preservation to integrating sustainability into interior design education. She discusses her research on the impact of biophilic design in educational spaces and emphasizes the importance of nurturing curiosity and confidence in young designers. Join us as we explore the r...
Aug 09, 2023•21 min•Ep. 57
In this episode of Break Some Dishes, Jon Strassner sits down for a one-on-one conversation with Linda Sorrento from mindful MATERIALS. They share their history of collaboration and how Linda inspired Jon to pursue a career in sustainability. Linda talks about her family's legacy of purpose and her journey into the design field with a focus on research and sustainability. The episode highlights the importance of curiosity, exploration, and commitment for young designers looking to make a positiv...
Jul 19, 2023•16 min•Ep. 56
In this episode of Break Some Dishes, co-host Verda Alexander sits down for a conversation with Jenn Chen, Principal Interior Designer at LMN Architects. They first discuss Jenn's groundbreaking research that has revealed the cyclical nature of interior renovations as it significantly contributes to carbon emissions, rivaling the impact of building structures themselves. Their conversation dives into the need for greater awareness and responsibility within the industry, challenging traditional p...
Jun 23, 2023•15 min•Ep. 55
Join host Jon Strassner as he engages in a conversation with Ken Wilson, Design Principal at Perkins&Will in Washington D.C. With over two decades of friendship, Jon and Ken delve into Ken's career journey, the evolution of sustainable design, and the critical role of sustainability in shaping the future of the industry. Ken discusses founding his own design firm that embraced sustainable design early on with clients including Greenpeace, the Environmental Defense Fund, the World Wide Fund f...
May 24, 2023•21 min•Ep. 54
Earth Day: Activate Accordingly Join Jon and Verda during this special episode for Earth Day 2023 discussing activism! They look at the history of activism and its importance in creating social change, emphasizing design and activating locally. They also examine influencing large corporations and the government, encouraging people to take action by joining a passionate group, downloading an app, or tweeting. There are many different ways to be an activist, from marching to voting to mobilizing o...
Apr 21, 2023•41 min•Ep. 53
We are breaking some dishes a little differently with this new roundtable episode discussing climate, health, and equity! Our panel of roundtable guests talks with Jon Strassner and Verda Alexander about the importance of creating equitable and sustainable designs that are healthy and accessible to everyone. The group emphasizes the need for further education and understanding of green practices and available resources. They also touch on the power of students to influence the future, how to tal...
Mar 30, 2023•47 min•Ep. 61
According to Natalie Nixon, more organizations need to have improvisational ways of working. Natalie says, “The future of work is Jazz.” Jazz is a model for new ways to work and optimize creativity. Described as a one-of-a-kind creativity expert, Natalie is the Creative Strategist and CEO at strategy firm, Figure 8 Thinking. In this episode, Natalie talks with Jon and Verda about the importance of wonder and rigor when it comes to creativity and innovation, the ethics of aesthetics, jazz and imp...
Mar 03, 2023•51 min•Ep. 60
Let's break some dishes with game changers in sustainability LIVE from Greenbuild 2022! Our guests today talk with Jon and Verda about how they lead and make sustainable change in different ways through biomaterials and carbon capture, water and energy conservation, design accountability, carbon offsets, or resource reuse. Guest lineup includes: > Elizabeth Bridges, Co-founder at Sum Studio and OurCarbon > Alisha McFetridge, Co-founder & CEO at RainStick > Sean McFetridge, Co-founde...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 60
We are breaking into the New Year with a twist. Our January episode kicks us off into 2023 where Jon and Verda have an insightful one-on-one conversation with each other. Guided by research, articles, and books the pair have read lately, they discuss different topics to lead us into 2023 including: - Green technology - What it means to be in "Goblin Mode" - Behavior habits and healthcare - Difficulties in making lasting change 2023 is here, let's get ready to break some dishes! Break Some Dishes...
Jan 25, 2023•39 min•Ep. 57
The Cruise Ship Interiors Expo is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the cruise design industry - and Break Some Dishes had the unique opportunity to podcast LIVE from the event! In today's episode, you'll hear from: Jon Ingleton | Executive Editor of Cruise & Ferry Interiors My Nguyen | Director of Interior Design, Holland America Group Greg Walton | Founding Partner, Studio Dado These amazing guests sat down to educate us on the sustainable innov...
Nov 22, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 65
Our guest today, Akshat Rathi, comes to us with a background in engineering and is a Senior Climate Reporter at Bloomberg, focused on shaping the energy and climate change conversation around the world. In this episode, Akshat discusses with Jon and Verda the different levers to be pulled to create climate action including policy, business, technology, people, and the media. He talks about technology trends, where the green opportunities lie for large companies, how media and the younger generat...
Oct 11, 2022•47 min•Ep. 59
How can we truly create radical change? Well, according to Jennifer Allyn, it's time to harness the power of the private sector to solve the climate crisis - and it starts with empowering YOU to motivate your company to support climate policy. Described as a true climate champion, Jennifer Allyn is the Director of Programs and Campaigns at ClimateVoice, an organization working to unlock corporate influence to address the crisis at scale. In today's episode, Jennifer will explain how we can each ...
Sep 22, 2022•34 min•Ep. 58
